Meg Lanning
August 31, 2016
BG: Hi Meg, thanks for your time.
BG: As the current captain of the Australian women’s cricket team, you have had great success throughout your young career. At what stage of your development did you realise you were good enough to reach such heights?
ML: Cricket was one of many sports I played growing up and I just loved being active and being outdoors. I never really thought too much about where I could go with my cricket until I made the Victorian women’s team when I was 16. I guess that’s when I really started thinking about the fact that I wanted to play for Australia one day.
BG: For many years, cricket has been a male dominated sport, so as a talented female, what pathway did you go through to be able to play at the elite level?
ML: I played a lot of boys cricket growing up. It started in primary school and I also played in an all boys’ team right through high school. I played some girls pathway cricket as well and also some women’s club cricket with Box Hill. I really enjoyed playing boys cricket as it was challenging and at times I was out of my comfort zone which has really helped me get to where I am now.
BG: The women’s Big Bash League was introduced in 2015, and gave the sport great publicity with a number of games aired on television. How important do you think the BBL has been for your sport, and how does it feel playing in front of such a large audience?
ML: I think the BBL was the next logical step for the women’s game. The product of women’s cricket is very good and all anyone wants to see is skill and competition, which is what was provided in the first season, so it was no surprise that it was so well received. It was great to be exposed to playing in front of large crowds and hopefully the second edition is even better.
BG: You’re known for your batting at the top of the order, and ability to score large amounts of runs in the short format of the game. This trend is occurring in both men’s and women’s cricket, with high strike rates and entertaining stroke play on display, so do you feel Test cricket will eventually decease?
ML: In the women’s game we don’t play a lot of Test matches so we focus all of our training on the shorter formats. We do enjoy playing Tests but I think we either need to play 4 or 5 a year or none at all, one match every two years doesn’t make much sense. I think the men’s tests will remain and are the pinnacle for them.
BG: You have had a number of sensational moments throughout your decorated career, what are your personal highlights, and memories that stand out the most?
ML: The World Cup wins I’ve been involved in at the 2012, 2013 and 2014 World Cups were special. Being able to lead the team in 2014 in Bangladesh I guess stands out as well as regaining the Ashes last year on English soil after 14 years of trying.
BG: Finally, what goals do you have for the remainder of your career, to fulfil all your desires within the sport?
ML: Elite sport is about trying to improve and get the best out of yourself so there is plenty for me to work on, to be a consistent player. For me it’s about team success so after the disappointment of losing the World Cup final in March I’m really looking forward to playing in the 50 over World Cup and taking on the rest of the world in a massive tournament.
BG: Thanks very much, Meg.
BG: Hi Meg, thanks for your time.
BG: As the current captain of the Australian women’s cricket team, you have had great success throughout your young career. At what stage of your development did you realise you were good enough to reach such heights?
ML: Cricket was one of many sports I played growing up and I just loved being active and being outdoors. I never really thought too much about where I could go with my cricket until I made the Victorian women’s team when I was 16. I guess that’s when I really started thinking about the fact that I wanted to play for Australia one day.
BG: For many years, cricket has been a male dominated sport, so as a talented female, what pathway did you go through to be able to play at the elite level?
ML: I played a lot of boys cricket growing up. It started in primary school and I also played in an all boys’ team right through high school. I played some girls pathway cricket as well and also some women’s club cricket with Box Hill. I really enjoyed playing boys cricket as it was challenging and at times I was out of my comfort zone which has really helped me get to where I am now.
BG: The women’s Big Bash League was introduced in 2015, and gave the sport great publicity with a number of games aired on television. How important do you think the BBL has been for your sport, and how does it feel playing in front of such a large audience?
ML: I think the BBL was the next logical step for the women’s game. The product of women’s cricket is very good and all anyone wants to see is skill and competition, which is what was provided in the first season, so it was no surprise that it was so well received. It was great to be exposed to playing in front of large crowds and hopefully the second edition is even better.
BG: You’re known for your batting at the top of the order, and ability to score large amounts of runs in the short format of the game. This trend is occurring in both men’s and women’s cricket, with high strike rates and entertaining stroke play on display, so do you feel Test cricket will eventually decease?
ML: In the women’s game we don’t play a lot of Test matches so we focus all of our training on the shorter formats. We do enjoy playing Tests but I think we either need to play 4 or 5 a year or none at all, one match every two years doesn’t make much sense. I think the men’s tests will remain and are the pinnacle for them.
BG: You have had a number of sensational moments throughout your decorated career, what are your personal highlights, and memories that stand out the most?
ML: The World Cup wins I’ve been involved in at the 2012, 2013 and 2014 World Cups were special. Being able to lead the team in 2014 in Bangladesh I guess stands out as well as regaining the Ashes last year on English soil after 14 years of trying.
BG: Finally, what goals do you have for the remainder of your career, to fulfil all your desires within the sport?
ML: Elite sport is about trying to improve and get the best out of yourself so there is plenty for me to work on, to be a consistent player. For me it’s about team success so after the disappointment of losing the World Cup final in March I’m really looking forward to playing in the 50 over World Cup and taking on the rest of the world in a massive tournament.
BG: Thanks very much, Meg.